Leonardo Launches SignalTrace: Hybrid ALPR and Wireless Device Tracker
Leonardo's SignalTrace merges license plate and wireless device tracking for police use.
Why it matters: This hybrid system broadens data collection, intensifying privacy and compliance challenges for legal teams monitoring surveillance tech enforcement and policy shifts.
- SignalTrace detects Bluetooth and wireless signals from devices like smartphones to link individuals with vehicles, extending traditional ALPR capabilities (Leonardo).
- Over 5,000 U.S. law enforcement agencies use ALPR systems like Flock Safety's cameras, tracking billions of vehicle movements monthly (Flock Safety data).
- California law restricts ALPR data sharing outside the state without court approval, and Washington mandates suspension or deactivation for compliance violations (California Vehicle Code § 18010; Washington Privacy Act).
- Privacy groups, including the Electronic Frontier Foundation, warn that expanded ALPR tracking constitutes mass surveillance prone to legal abuses (EFF statements).
Leonardo recently introduced SignalTrace, a hybrid device that merges traditional automatic license plate readers (ALPR) with technology detecting Bluetooth and other wireless signals from personal devices such as smartphones, smartwatches, and wireless earbuds. This enables law enforcement to associate an individual’s devices directly with specific vehicles and locations, significantly expanding tracking capabilities beyond typical plate identification.
More than 5,000 U.S. law enforcement agencies deploy ALPR technology, including systems from Flock Safety, which process billions of vehicle scans monthly to support stolen vehicle recovery and crime investigations. While useful for public safety, this extensive collection of location and device data has drawn criticism for enabling mass surveillance prone to misuse and violating privacy.
Regulatory response is intensifying. California’s Vehicle Code § 18010 limits sharing ALPR data outside California without a court order. Washington’s recent privacy laws led departments like Pierce County Sheriff’s Office and Richland Police to suspend or deactivate ALPR systems to avoid legal noncompliance. Richland Police Chief Martin Pilcher highlighted the challenge of "balancing crime-fighting benefits with responsible and lawful technology use."
Legal professionals should monitor how hybrid devices like SignalTrace shift evidence collection, privacy obligations, and potential litigation risks. The integration of wireless device tracking introduces new compliance complexities under evolving state statutes and heightens scrutiny on data governance around surveillance technologies.
By the numbers:
- 5,000+ — U.S. law enforcement agencies using ALPR technology
- Billions — Vehicle movements tracked monthly by systems like Flock Safety’s cameras
- 2 states — California and Washington with strict ALPR data sharing and operational restrictions
Yes, but: While enhancing investigative capabilities, the increased data breadth from hybrid devices may trigger stricter legal constraints and hamper deployment without sufficient regulatory clarity.
What's next: Legal experts anticipate additional state-level privacy laws and litigation emerging as hybrid tracking technologies become widespread, necessitating ongoing compliance vigilance.